U.S. patent application number 13/261624 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for tent peg.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kirsty Burgess, Edward Joseph Khoury. Invention is credited to Kirsty Burgess, Edward Joseph Khoury.
Application Number | 20130233366 13/261624 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45873306 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130233366 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burgess; Kirsty ; et
al. |
September 12, 2013 |
TENT PEG
Abstract
Described is tent peg that provides easy storage and transport
to reduce the likelihood of the tent peg being lost. The tent peg
comprises a shaft having and a head comprising a body having an arm
extending therefrom. The arm comprises a first aperture adjacent to
the body and a second aperture located between the first aperture
and a distal end of the arm. The first aperture is formed to
receive a shaft of a first further tent peg in an opposite
orientation. Additionally, the second aperture is formed to receive
a shaft of a second further tent peg in the same orientation as the
tent beg. Further, the shaft of the second further tent peg is
receivable in a first aperture of the first further tent peg.
Therefore, multiple tent pegs can be interconnected with each tent
peg in the opposite orientation to the adjacent tent pegs.
Inventors: |
Burgess; Kirsty; (Carine,
AU) ; Khoury; Edward Joseph; (Bateman, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Burgess; Kirsty
Khoury; Edward Joseph |
Carine
Bateman |
|
AU
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
45873306 |
Appl. No.: |
13/261624 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 20, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU11/01214 |
371 Date: |
March 21, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/120.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/120.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/62 20060101
E04H015/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 22, 2010 |
AU |
2010904274 |
Claims
1. A tent peg comprising: a shaft having a first end, a second end,
and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the
second end; a head comprising a body having an arm extending
therefrom, the arm having a distal end and a proximal end; wherein
the arm comprises a first aperture adjacent to the body and a
second aperture located between the first aperture and the distal
end of the arm; wherein the first aperture is formed to receive a
shaft of a first further tent peg in an opposite orientation;
wherein the second aperture is formed to receive a shaft of a
second further tent peg in the same orientation as the tent peg;
and wherein the shaft of the second further tent peg is receivable
in a first aperture of the first further tent peg.
2. The tent peg as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second
aperture comprises an elongate aperture for receiving the shafts of
two further tent pegs such that the shaft of a third further tent
peg is receivable through the second aperture in an opposite
orientation to the tent peg and also through the second aperture of
the first further tent peg and the first aperture of the second
further tent peg.
3. The tent peg as set forth in claim 2, wherein the arm extends
substantially radially from the body, and wherein the arm further
comprises: a first portion extending from the body substantially
perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and a
second portion extending at an angle to the first portion, the
second portion being angled towards the second end of the
shaft.
4. The tent peg as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first portion
comprises the first aperture and the second portion comprises the
second aperture.
5. The tent peg as set forth in claim 4, wherein the body comprises
a cylindrical body having a longitudinal aperture therein for
receiving the shaft, and the shaft comprises a widened end portion
received and secured in use within the cylindrical body.
6. The tent peg as set forth in claim 5, wherein the body comprises
a narrowed neck portion such that the shaft can slide through the
longitudinal aperture, but the narrowed neck portion restricts
passage of the widened end portion of the shaft.
7. The tent peg as set forth in claim 6, wherein a top of the
widened end portion protrudes above the body of the head such that
the top of the widened end portion may be struck by a tool for
driving the tent peg into the ground.
8. The tent peg as set forth in claim 7, wherein the head is
constructed of a plastic material, and the shaft is constructed of
a metal material.
9. The tent peg as set forth in claim 8, wherein the head is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
brightly colored materials and materials that glow in the dark.
10. The tent peg as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body
comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal aperture therein
for receiving the shaft, and the shaft comprises a widened end
portion received and secured in use within the cylindrical
body.
11. The tent peg as set forth in claim 2, wherein the body
comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal aperture therein
for receiving the shaft, and the shaft comprises a widened end
portion received and secured in use within the cylindrical
body.
12. The tent peg as set forth in claim 3, wherein the body
comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal aperture therein
for receiving the shaft, and the shaft comprises a widened end
portion received and secured in use within the cylindrical
body.
13. The tent peg as set forth in claim 5, wherein a top of the
widened end portion protrudes above the body of the head such that
the top of the widened end portion may be struck by a tool for
driving the tent peg into the ground.
14. The tent peg as set forth in claim 1, wherein the head is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
brightly colored materials and materials that glow in the dark.
15. The tent peg as set forth in claim 2, wherein the head is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
brightly colored materials and materials that glow in the dark.
16. The tent peg as set forth in claim 3, wherein the head is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
brightly colored materials and materials that glow in the dark.
17. The tent peg as set forth in claim 4, wherein the head is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
brightly colored materials and materials that glow in the dark.
18. The tent peg as set forth in claim 5, wherein the head is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
brightly colored materials and materials that glow in the dark.
19. The tent peg as set forth in claim 6, wherein the head is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
brightly colored materials and materials that glow in the dark.
20. The tent peg as set forth in claim 7, wherein the head is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
brightly colored materials and materials that glow in the dark.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a tent peg and, more
particularly, to a tent peg that provides easier storage and
transport.
[0003] (2) Description of Related Art
[0004] Tent pegs used for securing down a tent are commonly lost,
either in use or transport. After use, the tent pegs can be left in
the ground due to being hard to locate among grass or other ground
cover. For the tent pegs that are located and removed, the pegs are
often simply placed in a pile while the tent is being dismantled.
The pegs are then usually collected and placed in a bag for
transport. This process can also result in the loss of tent pegs,
which may not be noticed until next time the tent is to be
used.
[0005] Therefore, a continuing need exists for tent pegs that
provide easier storage and transport, thereby reducing the
likelihood of the tent pegs being lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to a tent peg and, more
particularly, to a tent peg that provides easier storage and
transport. The tent peg comprises a shaft having a first end, a
second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end
and the second end. The tent peg also comprises a head which
comprises a body having an arm extending therefrom, the arm having
a distal end and a proximal end. The arm comprises a first aperture
adjacent to the body and a second aperture located between the
first aperture and the distal end of the arm. The first aperture is
formed to receive a shaft of a first further tent peg in an
opposite orientation, and the second aperture is formed to receive
a shaft of a second further tent peg in the same orientation as the
tent peg. The shaft of the second further tent peg is receivable in
a first aperture of the first further tent peg.
[0007] In another aspect, the second aperture comprises an elongate
aperture for receiving the shafts of two further tent pegs such
that the shaft of a third further tent peg is receivable through
the second aperture in an opposite orientation to the tent peg and
also through the second aperture of the first further tent peg and
the first aperture of the second further tent peg.
[0008] In another aspect, the arm extends substantially radially
from the body. The arm further comprises a first portion extending
from the body substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinal
axis of the shaft. A second portion extends at an angle to the
first portion, and the second portion is angled towards the second
end of the shaft.
[0009] In another aspect, the first portion comprises the first
aperture and the second portion comprises the second aperture.
[0010] In another aspect, the body comprises a cylindrical body
having a longitudinal aperture therein for receiving the shaft, and
the shaft comprises a widened end portion received and secured in
use within the cylindrical body.
[0011] In another aspect, the body comprises a narrowed neck
portion such that the shaft can slide through the longitudinal
aperture, but the narrowed neck portion restricts passage of the
widened end portion of the shaft.
[0012] In another aspect, a top of the widened end portion
protrudes above the body of the head such that the top of the
widened end portion may be struck by a tool for driving the tent
peg into the ground.
[0013] In another aspect, the head is constructed of a plastic
material, and the shaft is constructed of a metal material.
[0014] In another aspect, the head is constructed of a material
selected from the group consisting of brightly colored materials
and materials that glow in the dark.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions
of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with
reference to the following drawings, where:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective-view of a tent peg
according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded-view of a tent peg according
to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3a illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of a tent
peg according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3b illustrates a front-view of a tent peg according to
the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4a illustrates a top-view of a tent peg according to
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4b illustrates a side-view of a tent peg according to
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4c illustrates an upper, perspective-view of a tent peg
according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective-view of a plurality of
interconnected tent pegs according to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective-view of installation of a
tent peg according to the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective-view of removal of a tent
peg according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present invention relates to a tent peg and, more
particularly, to a tent peg that provides easier storage and
transport. The following description is presented to enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to
incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various
modifications, as well as a variety of uses, in different
applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,
and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide
range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended
to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded
with the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel
features disclosed herein.
[0027] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough
understanding of the present invention. However, it will be
apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may
be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific
details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are
shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to
avoid obscuring the present invention.
[0028] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and
documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and
which are open to public inspection with this specification, and
the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated
herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this
specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and
drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same,
equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.
Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is
one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar
features.
[0029] Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly
state "means for" performing a specified function, or "step for"
performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a
"means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112,
Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of "step of" or "act of" in the
claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C.
112, Paragraph 6.
[0030] Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back,
top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter-clockwise have
been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to
imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to
reflect relative locations and/or directions between various
portions of an object. As such, as the present invention is
changed, the above labels may change their orientation.
[0031] (1) Specific Details
[0032] FIGS. 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, and 4c illustrate various views
of a tent peg according to the present invention. The tent peg 10
comprises a shaft 12 and a head 14. In the aspect shown, the shaft
12 and the head 14 are separate components connectable together to
form the tent peg 10. However, as can be appreciated by one skilled
in the art, the shaft 12 and the head 14 may alternatively be
integrally formed.
[0033] The shaft 12 comprises an elongate spike of any suitable
material, such as a metal material. The shaft 12 includes a widened
end 16 at a first end thereof and a tapered portion 18 at a second
end. The tapered portion 18 is provided for being driven into the
ground.
[0034] The head 14 includes a body 20 having a longitudinal
aperture 22 therein. In the aspect shown, the body 20 comprises a
cylindrical body. The longitudinal aperture 22 is provided for
receiving the shaft 12. The shaft 12 is inserted into the aperture
22 with the second end first. The body 20 includes a narrowed neck
portion 24 such that the shaft 12 can slide through aperture 22,
but the neck portion 24 restricts passage of the widened end 16 of
the shaft 12. The widened end 16 of the shaft 12 is, therefore,
retained within the body 12 adjacent a first end thereof.
[0035] The widened end 16 of the shaft 12 is accessible through the
first end of the body 12 such that the widened end 16 can be struck
with a suitable implement, such as a hammer, in order to drive the
tent peg 10 into the ground. That is, the top of the widened end 16
protrudes above the body 20 of the head 14. As the impact is taken
by the widened end 16 of the shaft 12, the head 14 may be
constructed of a material of lesser strength, such as a plastic
material. In a desired aspect, the head 14 is constructed of a
brightly colored plastic to make the tent pegs 10 easier to see
when in the ground; however, any suitable material or color may be
used to form the head 14. The head 14 may also be constructed of a
material that glows in the dark.
[0036] The head 14 includes an arm 26 extending outwardly
therefrom. The arm 26 in the aspect shown extends outwardly from
the head 24 between a second end of the body 20 and the neck
portion 24. The arm 26 extends generally radially from the
cylindrical body 20.
[0037] The arm 26 comprises a first portion 28 and a second portion
30. The first portion 28 extends from the body 20 generally
perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 12. The
second portion 30 extends at an angle to the first portion 28,
being angled towards the second end of the shaft 12. In use, the
arm 26 traps a rope secured around the tent peg 10 between the arm
26 and the ground in a known manner.
[0038] The arm 26 includes at least one aperture for receiving the
shaft of a further tent peg 10 such that a plurality of tent pegs
10 can be secured together when not in use, as shown in FIG. 5. The
arm 26 of the tent peg 10 includes a first aperture 32 provided in
the first portion 28 of the arm 26 adjacent the body 20. The first
aperture 32 is provided for receiving the second end of a first
further tent peg 10'. The second end of the first further tent peg
10' is inserted into the first aperture 32 from a side adjacent the
second end of the body 20 such that the head 14 of the first
further tent peg 10' is located adjacent the second end 18 of the
shaft 14. That is, the first further tent peg 10' is arranged in
the opposite direction. The arm 26 includes also a second aperture
34 in the second portion 18 thereof. The second aperture 34 is
provided between the first aperture 32 and the distal end of the
arm 26. The second aperture 34 comprises an elongate aperture such
that the shafts 12 of two further tent pegs can be received in the
second aperture 34.
[0039] As described above and illustrated in FIG. 5, a first
further tent peg 10' is received in the first aperture 32 oriented
in the opposite direction. A second further tent peg 10' is then
oriented in the same direction as the initial tent peg 10 and the
shaft 12 thereof inserted through the second aperture 34. The shaft
12 of the second further tent peg 10'' is also received through the
first aperture 32 of the first further tent peg 10'. An end of the
cylindrical body 20 of the head 14 is provided with a tapered side
21 (as can be seen in FIG. 2). The tapered side 21 is provided at
an angle being the same as that of the second portion 30 of the arm
26 such that the tapered side 21 rests flat against the arm 26.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 5, a third further tent peg 10''' is then
oriented in the same direction as the first further tent peg 10'
and inserted through the second aperture 34 of the first further
tent peg 10'. The shaft 12 of the third further tent peg 10''' is
also received in the second aperture 34 of the initial tent peg 10
and the first aperture 32 of the second further tent peg 10''.
[0041] In this way, a plurality of tent pegs 10 can be
interconnected (as shown in FIG. 5) with each tent peg 10 in the
opposite orientation to the adjacent tent pegs 10. The arm 26 of
each of the tent pegs 10 receives the shafts 12 of three further
tent pegs 10. The interlocking of multiple further tent pegs 10
into the arm 26 of each tent peg 10 creates a single planar row of
interconnected tent pegs 10 that form a relatively rigid
structure.
[0042] In use, the tent pegs 10 can be inserted into the ground and
used in the normal manner of tent pegs, as shown in FIG. 6. Each
tent peg 10 may be removed by grasping the head 14 of the tent peg
10 and pulling it from the ground, as illustrated in FIG. 7. A
brightly colored or glowing head 14 will aid the ability to locate
each of the tent pegs 10.
[0043] Each time a tent peg 10 is removed it may be interconnected
to the previously removed tent pegs 10 as described above. In this
way, the tent pegs 10 are retained together in a single structure,
reducing the likelihood of the tent pegs 10 becoming lost.
[0044] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the
relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be
made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already
described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of
the present invention.
* * * * *